Appreciation for umpires from Raymond Chen, a Microsoft programmer

[SanDiegoSteve]

Originally Posted by MrUmpire

I think what he was saying what the heck does being a MS programmer have to do with the article? In my opinion, nothing. As, DG, you and others, it would still contain some fine example of blather written by anyone else.

I agree that his occupation has nothing to do with the article, and I got that point. I just take it to mean the this guy is an outsider in a completely different, non-baseball related field and is therefore lending a fresh perspective to the subject of umpiring. Through all the platitudes and left-handed compliments in the article, it is clear that the writer has a new appreciation for the men in blue (or black, or cream, or...... ) and is favorably impressed, which is far better than the alternative.

[Kevin Finnerty]

... Yeah, but he's a non-umpire, so it's time to get all haughty and exclusive and flame the guy for even trying to understand it. While we're at it, let's rip the guy who posted it.

[MrUmpire]

Originally Posted by Kevin Finnerty

... Yeah, but he's a non-umpire, so it's time to get all haughty and exclusive and flame the guy for even trying to understand it. While we're at it, let's rip the guy who posted it.

I think you might have missed the point by 180 degrees.

What does being a MS programmer have to do with anything? Would you have regarded the thoughts illustrated any differently if they were expressed by a school janitor?

Personnally, I think the article is rather pedestrian, but it has nothing to do with who wrote it.

Oh, and I make it a personal habit not to rip anyone whose name I can't pronounce.

[Kevin Finnerty]

Wow!

That's about as absurd as it gets. You missed the point by 180 degrees, and you're the one saying it!

Why don't you go ask 10 people how insulting it is to make fun of a person's given name? Then you can swallow hard, shove your little winky face and apologize to the guy.

Have a nice day.

[MrUmpire]

Originally Posted by Kevin Finnerty

Wow!

That's about as absurd as it gets. You missed the point by 180 degrees, and you're the one saying it!

Why don't you go ask 10 people how insulting it is to make fun of a person's given name? Then you can swallow hard, shove your little winky face and apologize to the guy.

Have a nice day.

Oh my golly, what you won't do to turn an innocent comment into something else. It equals what you'll do to appear to be right...all the freaking time.

You have grown beyond tiresome.

Thank God for the ingore feature. Goodbye, genius.

[SAump]

I didn't notice anyone making fun of his name, his employer or his occupation.

The name Chen is a baby boy name. The name Chen comes from the Chinese origin. In Chinese The meaning of the name Chen is: Great.

Can we get back to the article.

[bob jenkins]

Originally Posted by SAump

I didn't notice anyone making fun of his name, his employer or his occupation.

Up until (and through) your post, I agree.

I see posts from individuals who automatically tend to take posts from others the "wrong" way, based on past history.

I have no idea who Patrick Chen is (well, now I know he's a microsoft programmer), but it seems important to the OP. I just read it as "article on Umpiring from a non-umpire".

[Kevin Finnerty]

Originally Posted by SAump

I didn't notice anyone making fun of his name, his employer or his occupation.

The name Chen is a baby boy name. The name Chen comes from the Chinese origin. In Chinese The meaning of the name Chen is: Great.

Can we get back to the article.

He made fun of the poster's given name and he thinks it's okay because he used a little winky icon and because he thinks it's funny. It's not funny, it's classless and as haughty as we have grown to expect from the guy. Not an innocent comment and not a funny one. He should apologize.

[Matt]

Originally Posted by MrUmpire

Oh my golly, what you won't do to turn an innocent comment into something else. It equals what you'll do to appear to be right...all the freaking time.

You have grown beyond tiresome.

Thank God for the ingore feature. Goodbye, genius.

You know why you don't like him? Because you two are nearly identical.

Familiarity breeds contempt.